Nicole Polychronis, 10 years old works on wrapping a gift at the True Memorial Baptist Church in Rochester. Children stuffed shoe boxes with items for those in need during the holidays. (Ryan McBride/Staff Photographer)

ROCHESTER — Shoe boxes loaded with gifts will soon be sent all over the world after the children of True Memorial Baptist Church enjoyed the gift of giving last week as they loaded the shoe boxes with small items, including toys, school supplies, and personal items, for Operation Christmas Child.

Over 180 boxes were packed over the past week and the church expects to send over 200 boxes to children across the world who wouldn’t otherwise receive gifts.

“They understand how it makes them feel special to get presents and its fun for them to pack the boxes for kids their own age,” said youth leader Carol Corbett of the children who participated in Operation Christmas Child through the Samaritan’s Purse organization.

Corbett said the gifts often help the children who receive them attend school, maintain personal hygiene, and feel the love behind the gifts.

“We try to make sure every box has a toothbrush, pencil, sharpener, notebook, and socks,” said Corbett.

“It’s a great outreach, something both adults and kids can relate to. It’s just a great way to share that love,” she said.

Click image to enlarge

The “tornado girls” work at the True Memorial Baptist Church in Rochester. They and other children stuffed shoe boxes with items for those in need during the holidays. (Ryan McBride/Staff Photographer)

Jon Larson, 5, of Farmington explained that he “put stuff in the (box) to send to people around the world. He said is makes him feel “happy and excited to give the gifts to them.”

Nicole Polychronis, 10, of Rochester, packed her first box with her friends last week. “I really like it. It’s a lot of fun,” she said of packing the boxes. “My favorite part is helping kids who don’t get presents,” she added.

Lauren Thomas, 9, of Barrington, participated in Operation Christmas Child last year and said she likes “wrapping the presenting and putting each item in the box.”

She said she participates, “because some kids don’t have the chance to have what we get,” adding that she hopes to give that chance to a child.

Many local businesses are contributing to that chance as well. The church has received donations from Family Dentistry, TD Bank, Big Lots, and Walgreens in Rochester, TD Bank and Staples in Dover, iParty in Newington, and Keystone Dental Arts in Somersworth.

This year’s pickup in the week before Thanksgiving, but the church accepts donations for the boxes all year long. Items they’re still seeking for this year include small stuffed animals, like Beanie Babies, and items for two- to four-year olds, like crayons.

The church is also accepting donations for shipping, which is $7 per box. Checks for any number of boxes can be made out to True Memorial Baptist Church, with Operation Christmas Child in the memo, and mailed to 21 Ten Rod Road in Rochester.

To find out more about the church, go to truememorial.org. To find out more about Operation Christmas Child, go to samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child.